Freezer furniture assembly

ABSTRACT

A freezer furniture assembly which allows a user to construct a device to store a storage freezer ( 15 ) having the appearance and functionality of a table when assembled. The assembly, which can be purchased in kit form or custom built for a homeowner, includes a front panel ( 1 ), two side panels ( 5 ) and a rear panel ( 7 ). The panels ( 1 ), ( 5 ) and ( 7 ) connect to one another by using dovetail joints. The assembly also includes a top cover ( 2 ) which acts as a table top when the assembled device is closed. The top cover ( 2 ) is hinged to the rear panel ( 7 ), preferably by using spring loaded hinges ( 4 ). Holes for power cords ( 8 ) and a hole for venting ( 9 ) are cut out from the rear panel ( 7 ) for electrical connection and proper venting of the freezer ( 15 ). Additional vent panels ( 6 ) are located on the side panels ( 5 ) to aid in ventilation. Decorative moldings ( 3 ) can be affixed to the panels ( 1 ), ( 5 ) and ( 7 ) to give a more sophisticated appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to assembly, more specifically, a freezer furniture assembly for constructing a device which surrounds freezers having the appearance and function of a piece of furniture, such as a buffet table or credenza, when assembled.

Stand alone large capacity storage freezers are very useful in that they store large amounts of food or other items for long periods of time without damaging ice cream, meats and other foods caused by periodic melting cycles typical of freezers in self-defrosting refrigerators. In addition, items that have a strong odor, such as fish or game meat, would not have to be placed in a refrigerator/freezer within a person's home but could instead be placed in the storage freezer so as not to leave an unpleasant odor in one's kitchen and refrigerator/freezer. Large families, business owners, hunters, fishermen and fisherwomen and vendors can vouch for the usefulness of a storage freezer in that large amounts of time and money is saved by purchasing foods in bulk at once and storing the foods in the storage freezer.

However, many people are do not own large capacity storage freezers for two main reasons. First, many people simply do not have enough space in their homes, apartments, cellars, basements and/or garages to place a storage freezer. Second, if a person does have enough space for a storage freezer, he or she would most likely not display one in the home or apartment because storage freezers are traditionally plain-looking and not aesthetically pleasing.

Thus, a need exists for an assembly for constructing a device which surrounds a freezer and when assembled, having the appearance and function of a piece of furniture, such as a buffet table or credenza.

The relevant prior art includes the following patents: Pat. No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor Issue Date 4,400,951 Cherry Aug. 30, 1983 1,840,645 Tibbot Jan. 12, 1932 6,532,756 Wang et al. Mar. 18, 2003 4,848,091 Border Jul. 18, 989 5,251,790 Cohn et al. Oct. 12, 1993 3,983,583 Herman et al. Oct. 05, 1976 2,180,460 Earle Nov. 21, 1939 1,729,491 Rygl Sep. 24, 1929

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for storage freezer furniture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for storage freezer furniture which surrounds a storage freezer and, when assembled, has the appearance and function of a piece of furniture, such as a buffet table or credenza.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for storage freezer furniture that is easy to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for storage freezer furniture that is durable.

An even further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for storage freezer furniture that is attractive.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for storage freezer furniture that can be assembled without requiring the aid of others.

The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing an assembly for storage freezer furniture having individual interlocking or slidable panels which fit into one another to cover a storage freezer. The assembly, which can be sold as a kit or custom built for a homeowner to be used on a specifically-sized freezer, is preferably made of various types of wood of various colors and sizes so as to give the user a choice in aesthetic appearance and size of freezer to be covered. Once surrounding the freezer, the assembly will have the appearance and function of another piece of furniture, such as a buffet table or a credenza. Venting pieces on the panels allow for proper ventilation of the freezer. The assembly also includes predesigned moldings so as to give a more sophisticated appearance to the assembly.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the assembled present invention with decorative moldings attached;

FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the assembled present invention;

FIG. 3 is rear view of the assembled present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the assembled present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a front panel of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a front panel of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a side panel of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of a front panel of the present invention having a flip-up service door.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:

-   -   1. front panel     -   2. top cover panel     -   3. decorative molding     -   4. hinge     -   5. side panel     -   6. vent     -   7. rear panel     -   8. hole for power cord     -   9. hole for venting     -   10. freezer cover     -   11. power cord     -   12. flaring tenon     -   13. top cover overlap     -   14. fitting mortise panel     -   15. freezer     -   16. recess     -   17. flip-up service door     -   18. lock

With reference to FIG. 1, a front view of the assembled present invention with decorative moldings 3 attached is shown. The present invention includes a front panel 1 and a top cover panel 2. Decorative moldings 3 can be affixed, preferably by using wood glue, to the front panel 1 in order to give a more aesthetically appealing look. All of the features are preferably made of wood so as to give a high-quality appearance, yet other materials may be used to achieve the desired look.

In FIG. 2, a side plan view of the assembled present invention is shown. The top cover panel 2 has a top cover overlap 13 in order to overhang the front panel 1. This overhang feature allows a user to easily lift the top cover panel 2 and open the freezer cover 10 located within without injuring his or her hands. A vent panel 6 may be located on a side panel 5 to allow for the ventilation of the heat expelled from the freezer 15. Hinges 6, preferably spring loaded, are affixed to the top cover panel 2 and rear panel 7 to allow for the opening and closing of the top cover panel 2.

In FIG. 3, a rear view of the assembled present invention is shown. Holes for power cords 8 and a hole for venting 9 are cut out of the rear panel 7 in order to allow for an electrical supply and proper ventilation, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 4, a top view of the assembled present invention is shown. The top cover panel 2 is sized so as to be larger than a freezer cover 10. The power cord 11 is fed out of the hole for power cords 8 so as to be plugged into an electrical outlet.

In FIG. 5, a front view of a front panel 1 of the present invention is shown. The front panel 1 is substantially rectangular with the exception of the cut out recess 16 located at the top of the front panel 1. The recess 16 allows the user to open the freezer cover 10 without having to reach into the assembled device and risking injury.

In FIG. 6, a perspective view of the assembled present invention is shown. The front panel 1 and the rear panel 7 have flaring tenons 12 while the side panels 5 have fitting mortises 14. The flaring tenons 12 and fitting mortises 14 join together to form a dovetail joint in order to join the corners of the front panel 1 to the side panel 5 and the corners of the back panel 7 to the side panel 5. Although this type of assembly is preferred, other interlocking techniques can be used to join the panels 1, 5 and 7 together, as well as having the panels 1, 5 and 7 slide into one another or having the panels hinged together to create a secured connection.

With reference to FIG. 8, a side view of a side panel of the present invention is shown. The side panel 5 has fitting mortises 14 located along the edges of its height to correspond with the flaring tenons 12 on the front and rear panels 1 and 7. A vent panel 6 is also located on a side panel 5 in order to allow the proper ventilation of the freezer 15.

Finally, with reference to FIG. 9, a front view of a front panel 1 having a flip-up service door 17 is shown. The flip-up service door 17 has a spring loaded, push-to-open lock 18 to keep the door 17 closed and hidden hinges 4 to allow a user to open the door 17 to access a hose connection on the lower front of the freezer, freezer controls, etc.

To assemble the present invention, the user simply matches the flaring tenons 12 located on the front panel 1 and back panel 7 to the corresponding fitting mortises 14 located on the side panels 5 to create a dovetail joint. If the user desires a more sophisticated look, he or she simply adds decorative moldings 3 to the panels 1, 5 and 7 as desired. Because the top cover panel 2 of the present invention is flat, the user can utilize the assembled present invention as a dining table, buffet table, credenza or any other type of table to suit his or her purposes. Because the side panels 5 and the rear panel 7 have vent panels 6 and holes for venting 9, the user need not worry about the freezer 15 overheating.

The use of the present invention will allow a person to construct a device having the appearance of a piece of furniture, such as a buffet table or credenza, while hiding a storage freezer within.

Although the freezer furniture assembly has been described in a kit form for assembly by a homeowner, the freezer furniture could also be custom built to accommodate a particular size of a freezer and purchased with the freezer.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings. 

1. A freezer furniture assembly comprising: at least one substantially planar front panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; at least one substantially planar side panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; a means for connecting the at least one front panel to the at least one side panel at a ninety degree angle; at least one substantially planar rear panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; a means for connecting the at least one rear panel to the at least one side panel at a ninety degree angle; at least one substantially planar top cover panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; and a means for attaching the at least one top cover panel to the at least one rear panel.
 2. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the at least one rear panel is wood; the at least one side panel is wood; and the at least one top cover panel is wood.
 3. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one front panel.
 4. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 2 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one front panel.
 5. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one side panel.
 6. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 2 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one side panel.
 7. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the at least one rear panel has flaring tenons; the at least one side panel has fitting mortises; and the means for connecting the at least one rear panel to the at least one side panel is by matching the tenons to the mortises to form a dovetail joint.
 8. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the at least one front panel has flaring tenons; the at least one side panel has fitting mortises; and the means for connecting the at least one front panel to the at least one side panel is by matching the tenons to the mortises to form a dovetail joint.
 9. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the means for attaching the at least one top cover panel to the at least one rear panel is by spring loaded hinges.
 10. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: a recess is cut into the at least one front panel; the at least one top cover panel has an overlap; and the overlap is sized so as to cover the recess.
 11. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 2 wherein: a recess is cut into the at least one front panel; the at least one top cover panel has an overlap; and the overlap is sized so as to cover the recess.
 12. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: at least one hole is cut into the at least one rear panel.
 13. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: at least one vent panel is located on the at least one side panel.
 14. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the means for connecting the at least one rear panel to the at least one side panel is by hinges.
 15. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the means for connecting the at least one front panel to the at least one side panel is by hinges.
 16. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the at least one rear panel has at least one arm; the at least one side panel has at least one fitting groove; and the means for connecting the at least one rear panel to the at least one side panel is by sliding the at least one arm into the at least one fitting groove.
 17. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the at least one front panel has at least one arm; the at least one side panel has at least one fitting groove; and the means for connecting the at least one front panel to the at least one side panel is by sliding the at least one arm into the at least one fitting groove.
 18. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 1 wherein: the at least one front panel has an attached service door.
 19. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 18 wherein: the means for attaching the service door to the at least one front panel is by using hinges.
 20. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 19 wherein: the service door has a lock.
 21. A freezer furniture assembly comprising: at least one substantially planar front panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; at least one substantially planar side panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; the at least one front panel is connected to the at least one side panel at a ninety degree angle; at least one substantially planar rear panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; the at least one rear panel is connected to the at least one side panel at a ninety degree angle; at least one substantially planar top cover panel having a predetermined height and a predetermined length; and the at least one top cover panel is attached to the at least one rear panel.
 22. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 21 wherein: the at least one rear panel is wood; the at least one side panel is wood; and the at least one top cover panel is wood.
 23. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 21 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one front panel.
 24. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 22 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one front panel.
 25. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 21 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one side panel.
 26. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 22 wherein: decorative moldings are attached to the at least one side panel.
 27. The freezer furniture assembly of claim 21 wherein: a recess is cut into the at least one front panel; the at least one top cover panel has an overlap; and the overlap is sized so as to cover the recess. 